Sourcing liquefied butadiene from China

Duty on liquefied butadiene

Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 30 September 2026, heading 2711 covers petroleum gases and other gaseous hydrocarbons. Liquefied butadiene falls within 2711 14 00 00, which also names ethylene, propylene and butylene. The supplied tariff facts contain only this relevant line, so the table has a single entry.

This line carries 0% duty for goods from China. The supplied facts show no anti-dumping or countervailing duty, no suspension and no attached import control. Chemical supply and dangerous-goods transport requirements still need separate attention.

Confirm the commodity code using the composition and physical state of the shipment. For the wider heading, see propylene gas. The UK import duty and VAT guide explains the tax calculation.

Specify butadiene purity and inhibitor content

State the intended process and agree acceptance limits for butadiene purity, other hydrocarbons, water, inhibitor identity and inhibitor concentration. Ask for a batch certificate of analysis with the test methods and sampling point. Agree how the supplier will report changes to the inhibitor or impurity profile.

Check whether UK REACH registration is required for the proposed import. Substances supplied in Great Britain must be classified and labelled under the applicable chemical classification rules, and hazardous chemicals supplied for workplace use need a safety data sheet. Obtain a version suitable for your receiving team and compare its identity and composition with the batch certificate.

Agree the pressure-vessel type, valve connections, unloading arrangement and vessel return arrangements before ordering. The consignor is responsible for classifying, packaging and marking dangerous goods for transport. Have the carrier review the proposed shipment and receiving arrangements before dispatch.

Worked duty example

Illustrative example, not a quote: Illustrative order: 4 tonnes of liquefied butadiene in transport pressure vessels under 2711 14 00 00, invoiced at £4,000 free on board, with £1,800 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £5,800. Duty at 0% is £0. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £5,800, so it is £1,160. With no duty, the only import tax is the VAT, which a VAT-registered importer can usually reclaim. The import duty and VAT guide explains each step.

Inspection checklist

Identity: match the vessel identification, seals and batch reference to the certificate of analysis and shipment documents.

Composition: compare purity, water, other hydrocarbons and inhibitor results with the agreed limits; arrange verification sampling through a specialist.

Vessels: have the receiving team check visible damage, valve protection, connections and signs of leakage before accepting transfer.

Documents: compare hazard labels and the safety data sheet with the actual product, and confirm the agreed unloading instructions. See quality inspection.

What goes wrong

A purity figure alone can conceal an unsuitable impurity or inhibitor profile. A generic certificate may describe a different batch, while missing sampling details make results difficult to compare. Resolve discrepancies before shipment and agree how an out-of-specification delivery will be handled.

A vessel can arrive with connections the receiving plant cannot use, or without agreed return arrangements. Missing transport information can also disrupt delivery. Review the complete transfer arrangement with the supplier, carrier and receiving team before dispatch.

Cambridge China Bridge sources these products for UK businesses, checking the factory and the documents before shipment. See factory verification. For repeat volumes, see container programmes.